Autotronics

Published on Jan 10, 2016

Abstract
The objective of this seminar report is to study the automobile application of autotronics and
find its range of utilization and also to study how it will improve the performance of the
vehicle. This report briefly describes a few automobile applications of autotronics mainly in
following domains:
Braking system
Steering system
Suspension system
Transmission system
Engine (fuel intake)
Autotronics is the blend of Automobile + Electronics. The advanced development of vehicles
in the last few years was based mainly on electrical and electronic componentsand
modules. There is no end in sight to this development. All main functional areas are strongly
influenced by the field of electronics or even made possible by it: e.g. anti-lock brake
systems, low emission and reduced fuel consumption through electronic motor
management systems, anti-theft and electronic diagnosis systems.Analysts estimate that
more than 80 percent of all automotive innovation now stems from electronics.
For long-haul serial communication between various automotive subsystems such as antilock brakes, airbag deployment, engine Control, and GPS navigation, the CAN, LIN, and
MOST protocols are the most popular serial buses implemented in todays vehicles.
By definition, automotive Electronic systems are embedded mixed-signal systems because
they feature multiple analog sensors and analog motor controls under digital control. For
years, traditional oscilloscopes have been the primary tool-of choice among automotive
electronic system design engineers.

Need:
To understand the phenomenal growth of the automotive electronics in Asia Pacific, we first
need to understand the evolution of this industry on a global front. To improve efficiency of
system communication and to reduce cost, all of todays automotive designs employ a
variety of serial bus communication protocols. The I 2C and SPI protocols are most often
used for chip-to-chip communication within electronic control units (ECUs). For long-haul
serial communication between various automotive subsystems such as anti-lock brakes,
airbag deployment, engine Control, and GPS navigation, the CAN, LIN, and MOST
protocols are the most popular serial buses implemented in todays vehicles.
By definition, automotive Electronic systems are embedded mixed-signal systems because
they feature multiple analog sensors and analog motor controls under digital control. For
years, traditional oscilloscopes have been the primary tool-of choice among automotive
electronic system design engineers to measure the quality of both analog and digital
signals. But traditional analog and digital oscilloscopes have many limitations, including lack
of complex serial triggering and limited input channels of acquisition. However, a new class
of measurement tools called mixed signal oscilloscopes.

Braking System:
The demands made on braking systems are increasing steadily. Therefore, the development
and introduction of an electronic braking system (EBS) is a logical step. EBS increases
traffic safety through reduced stopping distance and improved brake stability. The full
diagnosis and surveillance functions as well as the display of brake Lining wear offer an
effective fleet logistics. By actuating the brake pedal the driver defines the deceleration
request. The EBS ECU transmits this input electronically To all braking system components.
The braking system's shorter response timesprovide a more comfortable and
finelytunedbraking feeling, independent of thevehicles load situation. EBS provides the
basis for the integration of further safety systems like e.g. WABCO ESC (Electronic Stability
Control). ESC is a system which independently intervenes in critical driving situations and
adjusts engine and brake control. Within physical limits, ESC protects vehicles from rollover,
skidding, spinning and jack-knifing.

The EBS contains the following renowned functions:

Endurance brake integration
The braking system has an integrated brake management function which always regulates
the endurance brake when the brake pedal is activated based on an optimum delay of the
vehicle. Optimum service brake wear is attained through the distribution of endurance and
service brake. This function is an important part of delay control. The integration of
endurance brake can be deactivated via the switch.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS):

The control logic determines from the wheel rotation speed whether one or more wheels
can be blocked and decides whether to decrease, maintain, or increase the braking
pressure on it.

Traction control system (TCS)

Just like in the ABS function, while the vehicle is in motion, the electronic control system
determines whether the wheels are in the stable area of the slip curve. In case of wheelspin, the engine output and/or driving axle wheel braking is adjusted by the axle modulator
via the CAN bus and engine control system. An activated traction control system is
displayed on the functions display.

Brake lining wear control

When the brake is applied partially, the braking pressure distribution is adjusted, not
withstanding the available wear signals, i.e. the detected wear difference. The pressure on
the wheel brakes with more lining wear is reduced slightly, whereas the pressure on the
wheel brakes with less lining wear is increased adequately, so that there is no change in the
overall braking rate required by the driver.

Advantages of EBS
EBS reduces service costs considerably. -The electronic braking system has a lot of
functions. The aim is to maximize braking safety at reduced costs, for instance by optimizing
wheel brake lining wear. - Setting pressure, according to wear criteria, to the front and rear
axle results in uniform lining wear. Overall wear is minimized by making the load on all
wheel brakes uniform. Moreover, servicing and lining replacement are done at the same
time. This reduces down-time costs.
Depending on the vehicle utilization profile and other factors, this also means considerable
savings for the vehicle user. In terms of wheel brake service costs alone, a firsthand owner
will save more money with an electronically braked bus than with a vehicle with a
conventional braking system.
Automatic Traction Control (ATC) is integrated in EBS. EBS creates axlewise brake wear
harmonization by performing slight braking pressure transfers from the axle with a higher
degree of wear to the one with less wear. This promotes more even brake wear and
increases vehicle operational time. In addition, non-wearing Brake control (retarder and
engine brake) is integrated in the service brake application via the EBS brake management,
ensuring a low overall brake wear . It is only used in case of malfunction in the electric
section of the system. During trailer operation, automatic truck-trailer compatibility is
provided. Truck-trailer compatibility control ensures that each vehicle unit brakes according
to its individual weight. This results in an optimal coupling force between towing vehicle and
trailer.

What is the difference between ABS & Traction Control?

ABS
Manage the grip of the tires for braking maneuver
Traction Control
Manage the grip of the tires for accelerating maneuver.

Conclusions:
A modern car may have up to 100 electronic control units and a commercial vehicle up to
40. With brilliant minds working in the auto industry, there are limitless possibilities to what
the manufacturers will include in their products in the coming years. If we look to the
technology and electronics that are being used in the military vehicles, we can often predict
the services that will be in civilian vehicles in the near future. This tends to be a trend in the
automobile industry and will likely continue as people always want and expect more from
their cars.